Priests and rulers became fixed in a rut of ceremonialism. They were satisfied with a legal religion, and it was impossible for them to give to others the living truths of heaven. They thought their own righteousness all-sufficient, and did not desire that a new element should be brought into their religion. The good will of God to men they did not accept as something apart from themselves, but connected it with their own merit because of their good works. The faith that works by love and purifies the soul could find no place for union with the religion of the Pharisees, made up of ceremonies and the injunctions of men.

Præster og rådsherrer var kørt fast i formaliteternes hjulspor. De følte sig tilfredse med en lovgyldig religion, og det var dem umuligt at videregive Himmelens levende sandheder. De mente, at deres egen retfærdighed var alt, hvad der krævedes af dem, og ønskede ikke at få nye elementer indført i deres religion. De anså ikke Guds kærlighed til mennesker som noget, der lod sig adskille fra dem selv, men forbandt den med deres egen fortjeneste på grund af deres gode gerninger. Den tro, som handler af kærlighed og lutrer sjælen, havde ingen mulighed for at forenes med farisæernes religion, der var sammensat af ceremonier og menneskelige befalinger.